James Harden has had, at many points in his great career, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook (on two different occasions), Chris Paul, and Kyrie Irving as colleagues.
That’s the array of superstar players but, for whatever reason, he could not win a championship with the superstars or didn’t remain with them long enough to see if a championship title could occur.
And this list of superstars doesn’t include eight-time All-Star, Dwight Howard, who was still in his peak when he briefly teamed with James Harden, who was listed among favorites in flashpick.com for the week. Therefore, there is an impressive and keenly contested race in progress at the moment for James Harden, between time, excuses and All-Star colleagues. He’s currently running out of time.
Next up is Cameroonian, Joel Embiid, by far the best big player James Harden has ever had, a huge center who’s piecing together a potential MVP campaign, and a thirsty star who’s extremely anxious – if not very desperate – to lift an NBA championship himself. Without Harden and Simmons, Joel Embiid has recorded an average of 29.6 points, with 11.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists (career-high).
Embiid disclosed, “There’s still another level I can get to, that I believe I can get to.”
Judging by the smile on the face of Embiid after after Friday’s win in the new pairing’s first match together, Embiid is rather delighted with the fit so far.
“That was probably the most wide-open I’ve ever been in my career,” Embiid said jokingly after a 133-102 blowout victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Harden, after recording 27 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds on his debut, said postgame “[I’m] extremely happy.”
Five of the 12 assists by Harden went to Embiid, who finished the game with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists of his own as he continues to make a case for an MVP.
Once again in his illustrious career, James Harden is blessed with a co-superstar who is equally good or even better, except now there’s a little more urgency to finally cash in as Harden’s career moves to Philadelphia 76ers.
He said, “For me, it made sense.”
Philadelphia 76ers’heavily invested in James Harden, from the standpoint of the present and the future. The team sacrificed depth in Andre Drummond and Seth Curry, along with an unprotected 2022 first-round select and a 2027 protected first-round pick. Of course, Philadelphia 76ers’ were set to rid themselves of Australian Ben Simmons, but that was a high price, and who knew Philadelphia 76ers’ had to toss in those sweeteners to offload a talented, young player like Simmons who had an existing contract of two more seasons?
But the Philly GM, Daryl Morey, has a soft spot for James Harden and pressed extremely hard to be reunited with the star player he had back in Houston. Undoubtedly, Daryl Morey is on fire with this trade, especially because James Harden’s contract only has a player option year left. This means the Sixers are all but set to extend the contract of James Harden beyond the next campaign’s $47 million, a risky situation for a 32-year-old whose best years are believed to be behind him.
Morey is unconcerned by any of that talks.
Morey said, “James is a basketball genius, and he’s been wanting to play with Joel for a long time. I think he’s always thought Joel was, like, the perfect guy to pair with him.
“I think it’s like anyone with a new group. You realize you’re the new guy. You want to fit in and then show what you can do. Everyone has watched James play for many years and knows what he’s capable of.”
